Living Our Dream: Gila High Country Road and the Catwalk

Today we traveled along the Gila (Hee-lah) High Country Road, stopping along the way to see some particular sights. The road (Route 180 which continues up to the northern part of Arizona) goes north west out of Silver City, traveling along the Mogollan (moh-goh-yone) Mountain range and eventually swinging northeast through the Gila National Forest and Aldo Leopold National Wilderness. This wilderness is the first one designated in the nation, being named after the man who pushed to set aside the area to preserve its natural beauty. We found the area to be pristine and raw, almost like it probably was before the white man came to settle.

As we traveled along - saw the Gila River at times

Pretty, out in the middle of nowhere

We think this dude had all his possessions with him (dog in front of ATV)

Our first stop was to talk with the Gila Forest Service folks, getting tips on where and what to see. They are always very knowledgeable and courteous, we make this a must do (if there is a FS office) when we are visiting. Crossed over the Continental Divide at 6,230 feet, would cross over it 3 more times on our way northward.

Bill Evans Lake stop was next, this man-made lake was the idea of Phelps Dodge (the mining magnate) to provide water for his mines in the area. Pretty little lake, stocked every year for fishing folks, saw a couple of boats, a paddle boarder and people fishing from the side.

Luck had it - Dave saw the turn off for the Iron Bridge

Looking west (river eventually gets to Yuma, AZ) while on bridge

Bridge is crumbling (notice the top?)

Looking east

Mogollan Mountains to our right

Drove on and Dave caught out of the corner of his eye the Iron Bridge Road which has an abandoned iron bridge that spans the Gila River. Big area for birding - this is a major fly-way in spring and fall. Parked the car, strode up onto the bridge, saw how sad it looks from neglect, but very pretty scenery from the bridge looking down on the Gila River.

Didn't see any

Another wide open area

At the Aldo Leopold Rest Area

The rock face looked like a lion to us

Onward north and stopped at the Aldo Leopold Vista rest area. We wondered how far we could see - was very clear. The mountain in front of us took on a shape of lion’s head. Continued on about another 20 miles and turned off to the Catwalk area of the Whitewater Canyon.

After looking at picture - I think I could do this

Pretty scenery

Uh-oh, don't cross? About a foot deep

Ohio!

Remains of mill above cars on hillside

Start of the walk to the catwalk

I was a little concerned about what kind of catwalk we would find - said that the paved trail (ADA accessible) was 1.1 miles long, with the catwalk suspended over the Whitewater Canyon and creek. Eons ago when I worked at the steel mill, one job I had was to walk from the Caster (where the molten steel is poured into a casting machine which makes continuous steel slabs) to the BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) to deliver items and papers between each department. On a catwalk that was perched along a wall, no handrails - but open and only enough room for one person to be on, where the flying tundishes (large ladels of steel moved by overhead cranes to be put in position to quickly keep the flow of molten steel going - a dangerous activity and when there was a 'fly' to happen, all hands were on the casting deck to watch and make sure if there was a breakout - steel escaping out of the mold - people were available to minimize the damage and take immediate action) to the Caster and my mind always rebelled when I had to walk over there. Freaked me out - my mind said that one of those tundishes was going to splash over the lip and I would be fried on the spot, forever cast to the catwalk. Hated that job. So, when I got to see the pictures of this catwalk, I thought okay, lets get this done.

Bridge over Whitewater Canyon Creek

Went to right (easy) first, then came back other side of creek

Baby Gila monster - about 8 inches long

Start of catwalk - easy peasy

Catwalk hanging over creek, but attached to walls of canyon

Now what do we do?

After talking to these Rangers, we did not go on. Too difficult,
the trail is washed out not far from here. Turned around.

Piece of cake. Not only was the catwalk very secure, but it had handrails, interpretive signs, very easy to walk on, could hear the babbling brook below you. Very lovely. At the end of the catwalk where you had to step down to stream level, we got nervous because we had met up with Forest Rangers who were discussing how to repair the next area which was washed out the year before. Discussing steps, another catwalk, etc. The ah-ha came when we learned that the catwalk had just reopened this year - a flood had destroyed a big portion of it. Timing is everything.